Malpensa Airport to Lake Como - easiest way, most direct
Mar 29th, 2009, 08:34 AM
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Malpensa Airport to Lake Como - easiest way, most direct
Hello Fodorites, We'll be arriving in Milan after several legs of flying from Dallas/Fort Worth. We'd like to immediately head to Lake Como for a few days of relaxation and jet lag recovery. I'm wondering if we can get direct from the airport via bus or train without having to head to Milan first.
I've stayed in Como town before and am now wanting to stay in Varenna, perhaps, or another town along the lake. Where would be the best place without having to add a bunch of transfers from the airport (i.e., a straight shot via train or bus)? Any ideas.
We're interested in getting some hiking in and then just relaxing with incredible views while the jet lag wears off. Thanks so much!
I've stayed in Como town before and am now wanting to stay in Varenna, perhaps, or another town along the lake. Where would be the best place without having to add a bunch of transfers from the airport (i.e., a straight shot via train or bus)? Any ideas.
We're interested in getting some hiking in and then just relaxing with incredible views while the jet lag wears off. Thanks so much!
Mar 29th, 2009, 08:46 AM
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The easiest, least expensive, most convenient way to get to Varenna from Malpensa is:
Shuttle Bus to Milano Centrale, train to Varenna. No matter what you read, in actual real-time experience, this is a reliable, reasonably quick, often pleasurable, mostly stress-free trip.
The bus to Como offers very limited times. If you could take advantage of it, you'd need to work out the Como to Varenna boat schedule, via the hydrofoil.
The fastest (and most expensive way) to Varenna is by private car or taxi.
There is no convenient "direct" public mode of transportation to Varenna from Malpensa.
Shuttle Bus to Milano Centrale, train to Varenna. No matter what you read, in actual real-time experience, this is a reliable, reasonably quick, often pleasurable, mostly stress-free trip.
The bus to Como offers very limited times. If you could take advantage of it, you'd need to work out the Como to Varenna boat schedule, via the hydrofoil.
The fastest (and most expensive way) to Varenna is by private car or taxi.
There is no convenient "direct" public mode of transportation to Varenna from Malpensa.
Mar 29th, 2009, 08:53 AM
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We went from Milan to Varenna by the shuttle bus to Milano Centrale and then the train. Very easy and convenient. Note that the train stops in Varenna for a short time, so be ready to exit. In Varenna we stayed at the Hotel du Lac. Very lovely hotel. www.albergodulac.com/english.html
Mar 29th, 2009, 09:34 AM
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Taking a taxi from Malpensa to Varenna is well worth the extra money; it avoids all of central Milan and is quick and gentle on jet lag. We stayed in the very charming Albergo Milano (small only 8 rooms) but it is not air-conditioned. The four stay Hotel de Lac is and is indeed very lovely. Be sure to have lunch or dinner at the Vecchia Varenna, to see the gardens in Varenna and if you have time, take a short ferry ride across the lake to see the gardens of Bellagio.
Mar 29th, 2009, 04:02 PM
#7
As far as I know, the bus from Malpensa to Como that was cancelled a year or two ago has not been reinstated.
You could take a train from Malpensa to Como (short connection at Saronno) and then ferry to Bellagio or Varenna. It takes about the same amount of time as riding the bus to Milano Centrale and then the train to Varenna-Esino, but it's three segments instead of two and involves a short walk from the Como station to the ferry dock, so there's more schlepping with luggage. One advantage to this option is that you get a glimpse of the towns along the shore of this "leg" of the lake.
Here are links to the Malpensa-Como train and the ferry:
www.lenord.it/en/index.php
www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html
(Depending on the date of your trip, note the link to the ferry's spring 2009 timetables.)
You could take a train from Malpensa to Como (short connection at Saronno) and then ferry to Bellagio or Varenna. It takes about the same amount of time as riding the bus to Milano Centrale and then the train to Varenna-Esino, but it's three segments instead of two and involves a short walk from the Como station to the ferry dock, so there's more schlepping with luggage. One advantage to this option is that you get a glimpse of the towns along the shore of this "leg" of the lake.
Here are links to the Malpensa-Como train and the ferry:
www.lenord.it/en/index.php
www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html
(Depending on the date of your trip, note the link to the ferry's spring 2009 timetables.)
Mar 29th, 2009, 04:07 PM
#8
I meant to add that if you decide on the bus-train option and you plan to return to Milan from Varenna, you should buy round-trip train tickets on your way to Lake Como. The station at Varenna is unmanned.
Mar 29th, 2009, 07:52 PM
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The last time we took a cab from Malpensa to Varenna was maybe 11 years ago and the cost was somewhere between $50 and $70. For current price estimate, I would call either Hotel du Lac or Albergo Milano
Mar 30th, 2009, 06:52 AM
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I can't speak for transportation as we drove from Malpensa to Varenna. However, Hotel du Lac is a lovely hotel with balconies(request a balcony or terrace room) overlooking the lake. I know people who stayed at Albergo Milano and loved it and it is a Rick Steves favorite. Be sure to visit the castle ruins above the town for a fabulous view of the town and lake. Lake Como is still at the top of my "most beautiful places" list.
Mar 30th, 2009, 07:02 AM
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<i><font color=blue>"You could take a train from Malpensa to Como (short connection at Saronno) and then ferry to Bellagio or Varenna. It takes about the same amount of time as riding the bus to Milano Centrale and then the train to Varenna-Esino"</font></i>
This statement is misleading. One must look at all the schedules to determine more precise travel times. Connection times are crucial if you don't wish to add hours to your wait time. To a novice, the travel schedules are not easy to figure out.
The LeNord train requires you to get to Terminal 1 at Malpensa. It also requires a train (track) change in Saronno (which could include wait time). The walk from the Como Le Nord station to the ferry dock is not a short one (if you're tired) and sometimes you have to call for a taxi if you want one (signs with phone numbers are posted). The high-speed hydrofoil takes an hour to get to Varenna from Como but it doesn't run that often, depending on the time of day.
I wouldn't recommend the LeNord train travel option because it's exhausting. I absolutely don't love running with bags, changing trains, changing tracks, or walking half a mile with luggage to make a boat connection.
This statement is misleading. One must look at all the schedules to determine more precise travel times. Connection times are crucial if you don't wish to add hours to your wait time. To a novice, the travel schedules are not easy to figure out.
The LeNord train requires you to get to Terminal 1 at Malpensa. It also requires a train (track) change in Saronno (which could include wait time). The walk from the Como Le Nord station to the ferry dock is not a short one (if you're tired) and sometimes you have to call for a taxi if you want one (signs with phone numbers are posted). The high-speed hydrofoil takes an hour to get to Varenna from Como but it doesn't run that often, depending on the time of day.
I wouldn't recommend the LeNord train travel option because it's exhausting. I absolutely don't love running with bags, changing trains, changing tracks, or walking half a mile with luggage to make a boat connection.
Mar 30th, 2009, 03:29 PM
#12
Most commercial/international flights arrive at Terminal 1 at Malpensa. The Saronno station is small, the connection time is about 10 minutes, and it's only a matter of walking a few meters from one track to another. No running required. The hydrofoil from Como to Bellagio takes less than 45 minutes and to Varenna less than an hour. Yes, you do need to compare the various timetables to see what works best with your arrival at Malpensa. I think in the afternoon/evening there are more hydrofoils from Como to Varenna than there are trains from Centrale to Varenna.
Although it's usually on time, the bus to Malpensa can be delayed by traffic. At Centrale, you need to walk to the ticket windows and then to the platforms. The train to Varenna Esino can be crowded, and if you board late you may not get seats or be able to sit near your luggage. You also have to be alert to the Varenna stop, because you only have a few minutes to get off the train.
Although it's usually on time, the bus to Malpensa can be delayed by traffic. At Centrale, you need to walk to the ticket windows and then to the platforms. The train to Varenna Esino can be crowded, and if you board late you may not get seats or be able to sit near your luggage. You also have to be alert to the Varenna stop, because you only have a few minutes to get off the train.
Mar 30th, 2009, 03:40 PM
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If I'm not mistaken, NYCTS customarily lugs around three suitcases.
Unless you opt for a taxi, you are going to have to check public transportation schedules. They are not THAT difficult to figure out, and Fodor's is always here to help.
Unless you opt for a taxi, you are going to have to check public transportation schedules. They are not THAT difficult to figure out, and Fodor's is always here to help.
Mar 30th, 2009, 07:20 PM
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<i><font color=blue>"If I'm not mistaken, NYCTS customarily lugs around three suitcases."</font></i>
Only on arrival and departure, dear. Sure, there are plenty of people here to help but do they actually know what they are talking about?
<i><font color=blue>"The train to Varenna Esino can be crowded, and if you board late you may not get seats or be able to sit near your luggage."</font></i>
I've spent the last four summers, yes, high season, in Lake Como. I've done the month of July, August, and September. I'll be there again this summer. I have friends who live in Milan. I can't count the number of times I've done the Milano Centrale-Varenna Esino jaunt, at varying hours. The train has NEVER been crowded. Ever. In fact, it's usually quite empty. I've never had any difficulty finding a seat for myself (and my three bags). However, I've never been on the train on the weekend.
<i><font color=blue>"I think in the afternoon/evening there are more hydrofoils from Como to Varenna than there are trains from Centrale to Varenna."</font></i>
Not true. The 2009 Summer schedule is not available yet but Spring 2009 only offers six afternoon hydrofoils to Varenna, beginning with the 12:15 PM departure from Como. You can take a hydrofoil to Bellagio but then you have to switch to another ferry to Varenna. More time, another schedule.
The Varenna-Esino train runs almost every hour and the last train out of Milano Centrale is 9:25 PM.
Happy decision making.
Only on arrival and departure, dear. Sure, there are plenty of people here to help but do they actually know what they are talking about?
<i><font color=blue>"The train to Varenna Esino can be crowded, and if you board late you may not get seats or be able to sit near your luggage."</font></i>
I've spent the last four summers, yes, high season, in Lake Como. I've done the month of July, August, and September. I'll be there again this summer. I have friends who live in Milan. I can't count the number of times I've done the Milano Centrale-Varenna Esino jaunt, at varying hours. The train has NEVER been crowded. Ever. In fact, it's usually quite empty. I've never had any difficulty finding a seat for myself (and my three bags). However, I've never been on the train on the weekend.
<i><font color=blue>"I think in the afternoon/evening there are more hydrofoils from Como to Varenna than there are trains from Centrale to Varenna."</font></i>
Not true. The 2009 Summer schedule is not available yet but Spring 2009 only offers six afternoon hydrofoils to Varenna, beginning with the 12:15 PM departure from Como. You can take a hydrofoil to Bellagio but then you have to switch to another ferry to Varenna. More time, another schedule.
The Varenna-Esino train runs almost every hour and the last train out of Milano Centrale is 9:25 PM.
Happy decision making.
Mar 30th, 2009, 08:34 PM
#15
According to the spring 2009 ferry schedule, five out of seven of the daily afternoon hydrofoils make a stop at Varenna, and on Sunday/holiday one additional hydrofoil stops at Varenna. According to Trenitalia, the afternoon trains to Varenna from Centrale depart approximately every two hours and then hourly after 7:20 p.m.
Mar 31st, 2009, 05:33 AM
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I do appreciate perseverance.
Yes, I see. The 14:00 Sr214 hydrofoil is Sundays/holidays. That will narrow the weekday hydrofoil choices down to five to Varenna, for the entire day. (Btw, they are often not on time.)
Trenitalia offers a 12:20, 2:20, 4:20, 7:20, 8:20, and 9:25 PM choice. It takes roughly the same amount of time to go from Milan's train station to Varenna by (single) train than it does to go from Como to Varenna by high speed boat. The hydrofoil costs more.
I prefer the last international flight out of NYC on any given day which typically gets you into Milan in the morning, anywhere between 6 AM and 10 AM. Maybe there's a good reason why Trenitalia doesn't offer 5:20 and 6:20 PM train service to Varenna-Esino. (Two more empty trains, perhaps?)
Even with morning rush hour (a joke compared to rush hour in NYC), the Malpensa Shuttle Bus has never taken more than an hour to get to the train station. It's air conditioned, the seats are comfortable, and it's just a few steps outside of baggage claim. The ride is great for street scenes, making the hour go by quite quickly. It amazes me when I read about the hordes looking for a faster way to Lake Como. There are faster ways but you'll pay dearly for them.
I stand by statement in my first post: The easiest, least expensive, most convenient way to get to Varenna from Malpensa is: Shuttle Bus to Milano Centrale, train to Varenna.
Again, happy decision making.
Yes, I see. The 14:00 Sr214 hydrofoil is Sundays/holidays. That will narrow the weekday hydrofoil choices down to five to Varenna, for the entire day. (Btw, they are often not on time.)
Trenitalia offers a 12:20, 2:20, 4:20, 7:20, 8:20, and 9:25 PM choice. It takes roughly the same amount of time to go from Milan's train station to Varenna by (single) train than it does to go from Como to Varenna by high speed boat. The hydrofoil costs more.
I prefer the last international flight out of NYC on any given day which typically gets you into Milan in the morning, anywhere between 6 AM and 10 AM. Maybe there's a good reason why Trenitalia doesn't offer 5:20 and 6:20 PM train service to Varenna-Esino. (Two more empty trains, perhaps?)
Even with morning rush hour (a joke compared to rush hour in NYC), the Malpensa Shuttle Bus has never taken more than an hour to get to the train station. It's air conditioned, the seats are comfortable, and it's just a few steps outside of baggage claim. The ride is great for street scenes, making the hour go by quite quickly. It amazes me when I read about the hordes looking for a faster way to Lake Como. There are faster ways but you'll pay dearly for them.
I stand by statement in my first post: The easiest, least expensive, most convenient way to get to Varenna from Malpensa is: Shuttle Bus to Milano Centrale, train to Varenna.
Again, happy decision making.
